Dáil debates
Thursday, 17 July 2025
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
Flood Relief Schemes
2:25 am
Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 9 together.
The launch in 2018 of the flood risk management plans trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design and construction. There remain some 50 schemes, referred to as tranche II, yet to commence work on their design, due to constraints of professional engineering services and skills in Ireland. However, the Government is committed to funding these projects through the €1.3 billion available under the national development plan for flood relief measures.
Cork County Council is leading the delivery of six flood relief schemes, including Midleton, with nine tranche II schemes, including Castlemartyr, Youghal and Rathcormac. The OPW is funding nine staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of this programme of schemes, and other schemes across the county, including in Mogeely and Killeagh.
The OPW is piloting a new delivery model in counties Donegal and Kilkenny to inform delivery of future tranche II schemes nationally.
The Midleton flood relief scheme, to protect up to 750 properties, is currently estimated to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in early 2026 and for substantial completion in 2031. A planning application for advance works at Tir Cluain, to protect 111 of these properties, is scheduled for submission as a Part 8 application later this year with construction planned to commence in late summer-early autumn 2026. Cork County Council has begun to engage with landowners on environmental surveys and assessments required to inform the environmental impact assessment report. The council has completed a number of interim flood defence works in Midleton since Storm Babet in October 2023. Cork County Council progressed interim flood mitigation measures for Rathcormac, Castlemartyr and Killeagh and is liaising with the Office of Public Works on interim measures for Mogeely.
In October 2024, the OPW approved €5.8 million in funding for Cork County Council to make individual property protection available free of charge to home and business owners in Midleton and across east Cork who were impacted by Storm Babet in October 2023. This included retrospective payment to property owners who had purchased suitable individual property protection, IPP, measures between 18 October 2023 to 7 October 2024.
Following a review of all applications there were 725 valid applications. Cork County Council is, since April 2025, delivering flood barriers to properties where no civil works is required. The council is fully aware of the urgent nature of this unprecedented project and is constrained by the response from the market for supply of flood barriers and civil works contractors. Cork County Council and the OPW are keeping the delivery of IPP under review.
Cork County Council has advised that the standard height of barrier being delivered under this scheme is 680 mm which is the accepted industry standard height for flood barriers. This is in line with best practice guidance from the United Kingdom to avoid potential structural damage to properties. No review of the scheme’s criteria is being considered.
A quarterly update to elected representatives, members of the business community and the wider community by Cork County Council on the Midleton flood relief scheme and individual property protection scheme is taking place today, 17 July 2025.
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